BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA AND MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The operation of ferries servicing the Bacolod City-Iloilo City and Bacolod City-Dumangas, Iloilo routes goes on despite Iloilo city and the province’s shift to the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“We’re responding to Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas’ appeal to continue providing jobs and facilitating the movement of people as well as goods so that the region’s economy doesn’t get stalled,” said Frank Carbon, operator of Weesam Express.
However, due to low number of passengers, fast craft trips are currently limited to just one round-trip, Carbon said in an interview over Aksyon Radyo Bacolod.
He also said ne fast craft company plying the said route has decided to temporarily halt their services.
Roll-on/roll-off trips, meanwhile, remained unhampered.
For those planning to travel to Iloilo, Carbon said there are no travel requirements.
However, for passengers to avoid standing up while in their vessel, Carbon advised them to eat, drink, and go to the toilet prior to boarding. That way, passengers will remain seated the entire trip and avoid removing their facemasks and face shields.
Carbon also confirmed that the ferry crews, tellers and porters have already been vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
On the other hand, Carbon, also the chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), pointed out that fast craft operators have lost almost 70 percent of their income since the onset of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“We take the business risk to remain open so jobs are available,” he said. “(We) get the region’s economy going, and at a certain point we will recover.”/PN
